Vacancy #: 7307 Unit: Species Conservation Action Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Madagascar Country Office, Antananarivo, Madagascar Reporting to: Senior Grants Officer โ Species Conservation Action Team Work percentage: 100% Grade: P1 Expected start date: 01 August 2025 Type of contract: Max-term (12 months with possibility of renewal) Closing date: 25 June 2025 BACKGROUND IUCN is seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic candidate to join the IUCN Species Conservation Action Team as Programme Officer โ Species Conservation to support the IUCN SOS โ Save Our Species programme.
IUCN SOS โ Save Our Species aims to improve the conservation status of globally threatened species, their habitats and the people depending on them. It provides grants for conservation projects targeting globally threatened species. By strategically focusing on species conservation priorities and by providing rapid action funding that can be mobilized quickly during crises, SOS provides critically-needed resources where and when they matter most.
IUCN Save Our Species supports science-based conservation action on the ground that saves animals, plants and fungi from extinction. We focus our efforts where they will have the biggest impact by funding frontline conservation organisations across the world who have unique knowledge of their region and the local biodiversity. IUCN Save Our Species is IUCNโs response to the challenges identified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesโข mobilising IUCNโs unique knowledge and expertise of the IUCN experts Commissions.
This is a local recruitment. Only Malagasy nationals, individuals with residence status, or the appropriate employment visa for Madagascar are eligible to apply. The Programme Officer will be recruited by IUCN and based in the upcoming Madagascar Country Office, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. As a temporary arrangement until the office opens, the Programme Officer will work remotely from home. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR DUTIES
The primary task of the Programme Officer will be to contribute to the effective implementation of the SOS Lemurs Phase II initiative in Madagascar. This position will also contribute to delivering other species related initiatives, project development, liaison with IUCN Programmes, Members, Commissions, and partners.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
โข Ensure the efficient implementation of the SOS Lemurs (Phase II) initiative and other initiatives with the same geographic scope;
โข Manage the day-to-day administration of grants in accordance with IUCN SOS standardised procedures and in coordination with the Senior Grants Officer;
โข Support the development of operational guidelines, templates, and related project management tools
โข Contribute to the preparation of documentation for calls for proposals to be published on the IUCN Grants Portal;
โข Review grant applications received by the SOS Secretariat and assist the Review Panel as necessary;
โข Liaise with applicants and grantees, providing guidance and support throughout the project cycle;
โข Monitor grant implementation by reviewing progress and final reports and conducting project monitoring missions; prepare mission reports accordingly;
โข Lead the collection of grant data to feed into the SOS monitoring and evaluation framework and other tracking tools;
โข Support the collation of impact data and capturing of lessons learnt for the development of various communication and reporting outputs;
โข Support the planning and delivery of capacity building activities for SOS Lemurs beneficiaries, including the organisation of workshops and webinars;
โข Provide operational support for in-country events and technical workshops;
โข Contribute to the production of communication outputs highlighting SOS Lemurs' impact and lessons learned;
โข Support the visibility of IUCN and the SOS Lemurs initiative, including liaising with partners and key stakeholders, and organizing promotional events;
โข Support policy interventions at national, regional and international level, linking IUCN Save Our Species activities to relevant conservation policies and frameworks;
โข Regularly liaise with relevant donors (i.e French Development Agency, EU Delegation, KfW, etc.) in the country, providing regular updates on SOS Lemurs projects status and achievements;
โข Contribute to the preparation of yearly progress reports to the donor;
โข Maintain regular communication with the IUCN Eastern and Southern Regional Office and other programmes implemented in the Western Indian Ocean region to ensure alignment and efficiency (e.g. updates on calls for proposals, project pipeline, joint visibility and communications opportunities, grantee due diligence processes, etc.);
โข Support the identification of opportunities for partnerships and project development, and support IUCN SOS fundraising efforts;
โข Contribute to the development of project proposals for the Species Conservation Action team;
โข Represent IUCN and SOS Lemurs at relevant national and international events;
โข Contribute towards knowledge management for conservation in collaboration with the IUCN Centre for Science and Data;
โข Carry out other relevant tasks at the request of and in agreement with the line manager. REQUIREMENTS โข MSc degree (or higher) in biodiversity conservation, species/habitat management, environmental sciences or other relevant discipline;
โข Minimum of 3-5 yearsโ experience in the field of biodiversity conservation, preferably involving on-the-ground conservation activities;
โข Knowledge of and experience with the main biodiversity conservation challenges in Madagascar;
โข Experience in grant-making or project management, with strong project management skills at multiple levels including planning, implementation, reporting, and monitoring;
โข Experience in developing and implementing activities aimed at building the capacity of civil society organisations;
โข Fundraising experience is an asset;
โข Experience in monitoring and evaluation is an asset;
โข Capacity to produce high-quality briefs and reports;
โข Good knowledge of IUCN standards and knowledge tools for species conservation is an asset;
โข Fluency in Malagasy, excellent spoken and written English and French;
โข Computer literacy in MS Office packages;
โข Solution-oriented approach: demonstrates a โthinking outside the boxโ attitude;
โข Demonstrated ability for critical thinking, analysis and strategic planning;
โข Proven ability to bring ideas from concept through to realisation and implementation;
โข Outstanding writing and editing skills; strong attention to detail;
โข Strong interpersonal and presentation skills;
โข Ability to cope with varied workload and flexible working hours;
โข Capacity to work effectively under time pressure and extended hours;
โข Willingness to travel sometimes at short notice;
โข Team-oriented attitude and ability to work independently;
โข Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary groups, including governments, experts, civil society and local communities;
โข Respond well to remote supervision;
โข A demonstrated high-level ability to work in a multi-cultural, international organisation, applying high standards of respect, tolerance and support required. APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldโs largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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